Know when to stay at Disney resorts for the lowest rates

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on April 15, 2008. To see the most recent SmarterTravel articles on related topics, please click on any of the following links: Disney, hotel, Molly Feltner, theme park.

Disney World is famous for being secretive about its inner workings, but one thing it does make public is its seasonal hotel pricing. Instead of having to do an individual date search, you can find the high and low rates for each of its 24 resorts and the dates to which those rates apply on the Disney website. Knowing these price schedules can help you pick the travel dates that promise the lowest rates.

Here's a quick price rundown:

Disney's nightly rates range from $42 for a campsite at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground during the low (value) season to $2,155 for a deluxe villa at the BoardWalk Villas during the holiday season.

The cheapest times to stay at value and moderate resorts are right after the December holidays, late summer to early fall, and early December. Rates are slightly higher from April through Memorial Day, and from October to December. The most expensive times are during the December holidays, winter and spring breaks, and summer.

The cheapest times to stay at deluxe and deluxe villa resorts and Fort Wilderness are right after the December holidays, late July to early fall, and early December. Rates go up from April to mid-July and from October to December. The most expensive times are during the December holidays, followed by winter and spring break.